Chapter 47
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: National Exchange Conference (9)
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The National Exchange Conference wasn't just some event hosted by America—it was famous worldwide.
Given the name itself, it wasn't an exaggeration to say every country was laser-focused on it during this time.
So, imagine the reaction when, right from the opening matches, America's strongest hero squared off against their own freshly promoted A-Rank Hero.
Most people were worried: Is this even fair? Isn't he just gonna forfeit? A few were seriously speculating about match-fixing.
Any country would react the same if their first opponent was an overwhelming powerhouse.
That said, up until now, there'd been no reason to pit such opponents against each other right away—nothing to gain—so match-fixing seemed unlikely.
More precisely, no fighter had ever been that eager to face their first-round opponent.
But judging from that earlier conversation and Thunder Emperor's display before...
"Hoo..."
Whatever. It didn't matter anymore.
I still had to fight America's top hero either way.
I glanced up to the left for a moment.
Countless people were watching us from above.
They said defensive-type superpowered users teamed up to form a barrier around the arena, protecting the outside from any accidents inside.
That must be why I couldn't hear the crowd's cheers or the announcers' voices. Maybe it was for the best—let me focus on what was coming.
Or perhaps it was set up that way to ensure total concentration on the match.
Either way, it beat the noise...
Still, it feels kinda lonely without that sense of being watched by a crowd.
Usually, there's a thrill in feeling all those eyes on you during a match like this.
Guess I've turned into an exhibitionist now.
Thinking like that proves it.
"Hmm, I didn't expect we'd meet this soon."
"We talked about it inside earlier. Why bring it up now?"
"Oh, right. We did."
If he'd really been surprised, he would've led with that when we first met.
But no—he'd acted like it was natural, and now this. Yeah...
Definitely fixed.
He wanted to fight me.
"Fighting me first could be pretty dangerous, you know. Imagine the looks on the Americans' faces if their top hero gets knocked out in the opener."
"Ho... The kid's got some bite. Full of spirit, huh?"
Overwhelm grinned.
"Most kids size me up, feel the pressure, and forfeit. Standing up to me instead? That's impressive."
"Says the guy who set this whole thing up."
"Heh, you caught on? Of course you did. But you're the first I've pulled strings for like this, kid. Why would I bother rigging things?"
Fair point.
A man that strong wouldn't need to fix a match.
To him, any opponent was the same.
"But when a kid who pushed me that hard confidently claims he'll win... I gotta wonder just how good you are. No reason to lie to me, right? Makes it exciting."
Overwhelm dropped into stance as he spoke.
"So... you won't disappoint me, will you?"
"Like I said before..."
I took my stance too.
"I'm going to win."
No way I'd lose.
Absolutely not.
[3, 2, 1, Fight!!]
Boom!
The speaker blared, and Overwhelm and I launched toward each other like we'd been waiting for it.
And then,
Krunch!
We grabbed each other with both hands, like it was scripted.
"Kid... let's see how much power you've got...!"
This guy's...!
Even back when I sparred with Gramps, his strength was impressive—but not like this.
This man was different.
He's strong...!
His power was insane.
I nearly got pushed back using my usual force.
But...
This is manageable.
He was weaker than me.
Obviously.
My strength came from the cheat—it'd be weirder if he matched it.
Right now, my stats were way beyond the game's normal limits.
Getting overpowered would've been the real surprise.
Gauging his strength roughly, I poured in more power than before.
"Ngh...?!"
Overwhelm's face flashed with surprise as he started getting pushed back.
If he keeps getting pushed...!
"Whoa, way stronger than I thought...!"
Wait... what?!
He suddenly released, yanking me forward into his pull.
My momentum shot me toward him, and he twisted my body mid-grab—
KABOOM!
Crack!
Ugh...
I slammed face-first into the ground.
Fastest I'd ever seen.
Too fast—I reacted like usual and ate a suplex without countering...
Whoosh!
Overwhelm, now at a distance, called out.
"Kid, you ain't dead already, are ya?"
"...I'm fine."
I pulled my head free, flipped over, stood up, and brushed off the dirt.
"Oho... I put real force into that, and you're unfazed? Tough kid."
"And you, Gramps... I didn't expect you'd bail on strength, read my momentum, and flip it on me like that."
His situational awareness was unreal.
The moment I sensed something off, I was already eating mat.
Like in a game when you're not focused and miss the enemy's skill startup.
Exactly that vibe.
I'd gone in loose for a feel-out round, but this showed I wasn't taking him seriously enough.
Get your head in the game.
This was America's strongest hero.
A legend who'd guarded the country for decades—this was par for the course.
Experience gap, for sure.
That explained the insane reaction speed earlier.
No, it was beyond reaction—pure seamless flow.
How many fights did it take to move that fluidly?
More battles than I could imagine, probably.
"I'm getting serious now."
So, I had to match it.
"Hah? You saying I wasn't before?"
"Yep."
"Ha!"
Overwhelm grinned like he approved.
"Alright, let's go."
The real fight began.
[Is this really okay?]
[Damn, that guy's really pitiful...]
[At this point, forfeiting would still earn respect tbh]
When he suddenly got entered into the National Exchange Conference, plenty of people were hyped.
But once his opponent was revealed as Overwhelm, the excitement posts vanished, replaced by worried ones.
It wasn't just online, either.
At first, when news of his last-minute entry spread, folks griped: Does this even make sense? It's a national event—shouldn't they plan better?
But all that chatter died the second Overwhelm was announced as his opponent.
Overwhelm's first-round foes usually got crushed, humiliated, or no-showed entirely.
Opinions swirled inside the venue: What's the point of entering last-minute?
[No way he actually shows up.]
[He's got guts tho?]
"Whoa... he's not pulling out..."
"Should've forfeited..."
Foreigners and Koreans alike thought the same.
Even those griping about the sudden entry just moments ago started cheering when he strode into the arena confidently.
That was the vibe—until then.
"What...?"
[He's holding?]
[This real?]
"Whoa..."
They were clashing.
The monster who'd reached the peak of physical prowess in America... Overwhelm versus this out-of-nowhere Korean A-Rank Hero.
A real matchup.
"...Holy shit..."
"Ah, so that's why they rushed him in."
[Wtf is this Korean dude?!]
[Who even is he?]
[Overwhelm ain't losing, right?]
The match everyone thought would end quick was unfolding in a way no one predicted.
No one expected a nail-biter like this. Even Thunder Emperor couldn't beat Overwhelm, but now...
Koreans who'd been indifferent started standing one by one.
Shouting cheers, caught up in the unbelievable scene before them.
Clutching a sliver of hope: Maybe... just maybe he'll win.